Tank vehicle



Feb. 1, 1944.

TANK VEHICLE Filed June-26, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR- BY M7 ATTORNEY R. J. THl-:RIAULT TANK VEHICLE Filed June 2s, 1940 Feb. 1, 1944.

.ATTORNEY TANK VEHICLE" Filed June 26. 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 En 11a 12a Feb, 1, 1944. R. J. 'VH'ERIAULT TANK VEHICLE 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 26, 1940 1h. R. N 1d [H m MJ# Y B Feb. l, 1944. R. J. THERIAULT 2,340,628

' i TANK vEHIcLE F'iied June 26, 1940 e sheets-sheet s ATTORNEY Feb. l, 1944.v n. y.1. 'THERIAULT 2,340,528

' TANK vEnIcLE L Filed June ze, 1940v l s sneetssheet e ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 1, 1944 TANK VEHICLE Raymond J. Theriault, Philadelphia,

Pa., assignor to Edward G. Budd Manufacturing Company,

Philadelphia, vania Pa., a corporation of Pennsyl- Application June 26, 1940, Serial No. 342,406

(ci. 28o-5) Claims.

'I'his invention in general relates to an improved design and construction for a tank vehicle, and more particularly to a trailer tank.

The object of the invention is to provide a tank vehicle such as a trailer tank structure embodying novel features of design and construction with a View to eecting a reduction in weight and material, and the attainment of marked economies in manufacture and upkeep.

Another object is to provide a tank supporting structure having side walls composed of sheet metal and adapted to support the load in combination with reinforcing bulkheads, whereby the customary complex and heavy tank chassis construction m-ay be dispensed with, and a considerable gain made in simplification of structure and reduction of weight.

A further object is the provision of a tank structure of an exceptionally light weight but rigid construction, a pleasing, streamlined contour, and embodying efliciently disposed adjuncts to facilitate the convenient and safe automotive transportation of liquids over highways.

A still further object is to provide a tank vehicle structure having a frame composed substantially of sheet metal reinforced by cross members serving as the cradle or seat for the tank proper, whereby the structure may be reduced considerably in weight and the tank itself made of lighter material.

With the foregoing )and other objects in'view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts, and in the details of construction, hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that various changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit thereof.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the drawings wherein:`

Figure 1 is a perspective front and kside view of a trailer structure with the tank operatively installed and embodying a preferred form of the invention; A

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but from a higher viewpoint and showing the structure with the tank removed therefrom;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the structure, with the tank removed, and showing the general disposition of the bulkheads, and certain other component parts;

Figure 4 is a sectional View, taken on the line 1 and as viewed in the direction of the arrows 4 4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary, enlarged, transverse sectional view, taken on the line and as viewed inthe direction of the arrows 5 5 of Fig. 3;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary, enlarged sectional view, taken on the irregular line and as viewed in the directionl of the arrows 6-6 of Fig. v3;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary, enlarged, transverse sectional view, taken on the line and as seen in the direction of the arrows 'l-l of Fig. 3;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary, enlarged, sectional detail View, taken on the line and as viewed in the direction of the arrows 8-8 of Fig. 7;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary, sectional view, taken on the line and as viewed in the direction of the arrows 9-9 of Fig.'8; Y

Figure 10 is a transverse sectional detail view, taken on the line and as viewed in the direction of the arrows lll-l0 of Fig. 7;

Figure 11 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional detail view taken on the line'and as seen in the direction of the arrows Il-II of Fig. 1;

Figure 12 is an enlarged, fragmentary, transverse, sectional detail View, taken on the line and as seen in the direction of the arrows |2-I2 of Fig. 3, and showing the general method of joining and welding the bulkheads to the side walls;

Figure 13 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectiona1 detail view, taken on the line and as seen in the direction of the arrows I 3-I3 of Fig. 12;

Figure 14 is a, fragmentary, enlarged, sectional detail view, taken on the line and as seen inthe direction of the arrows Ill-I4 of Figs. 12 and Figure 15 is a fragmentary, enlarged, sectional detail view, taken on the line and as seen in the direction of the arrows |5--I5 of Fig. 13;

Figure 16 is a fragmentary, enlarged, sectional view, taken on the line and as seen in the direction of the arrows I 6-l6 of Fig. '12;

Figure 17 is a fragmentary, enlarged, sectional view, taken on the line and as seen in the direction of the arrows II-I'l of Fig. 12;

, Figure 18 is 'a fragmentary, enlarged, longitudinal sectional view, taken on the line and as seen in the direction of the arrows Iii-I8 of Fig. 4;

Figure 19 is afragmentary, enlarged, sectional detail view, taken on the line and as seen in the direction of the arrows l9|9 of Fig. 3;

Figure 20 is a fragmentary, enlarged, sectional detail view, taken on the line and as seen in the direction of the arrows 20-20 o f Fig. 4; Y

K Figure 21 is an enlarged, fragmentary` sectional detail view, taken on the line and as seen in the direction of the arrows 2|-2I of Fig. 19;

Figure 22 is a fragmentary, enlarged, sectional, detail view, taken on the line and as seen in the direction of the arrows 22-22 of Fig. 2G; and

Figure 23 is a fragmentary, enlarged, sectional detail view, taken on the line and as seen in the direction of the arrows 23-23 of Fig. 20.

This invention, in its broader aspects, contemplates the provision of a vehicle or a trailer tank structure wherein the customary chassis-'or understructure construction is eliminated. In accordance therewith, the present vehicle or trailer consists substantially of a corrugated sheet metal frame stiffened -an'd .braced by a series of sheet metal cross members or bulkheads which are specially configured to provide a cradle on which the tank is directly seated vandfanchored. Each spring suspension system of this vehicle or trailer, including the wheels, is directly connected to means arranged on a pair yof the same bulkheads. The landing :gear and fth wheel assembly of atrailer are in addition supported 4by `these bulkheads.

'By the .above imode `of construction, important .operating advantages, Yas l,will become Imore apparent -as the .description proceeds, .are :achieved in the way of `a substantial reduction Ain Weight `not only of .the vehicle .or trailer, :but also jof the tank -supported ithereon, since -`the latter is not called upon 4to serveasiits own support :and :may accordingly be made .of a lighter construction than customary.

In the `drawings-similar .characters of `reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views wherein an automobile trailer tank structure embodying the invention is .,depicted; and as -the welding process lis-'principally employed in joining togetherthe-various elements and members of the said chassis, litis -to be understood that `throughout the description, `unless otherwise `specified Aorv indicated, the f'term's' fastened,

joined or secured individually connote the term welded In the eaccompanying views, this -welding process is uniformly 'indicated by a cross 'or asterisk-like symbol. It Ais to be 'further undertsood that lsince the entire chassis-is substantially symmetrical about is longitudinal axis, or more particularly -on "either side of the `center line -4-4 `of Fig. 3, -a desorption of the Vdetails on oneside of this center -line will fsulice Vfor a clear comprehension Vof Y the `details on the other Vside thereof.

Referring now in particular to thedrawings the letter A designates the supporting structure or'chassis as a whole. The numeral 3l designates a central or forward, arcuate frame or panel formed of a sheet of corrugatedsheetmetal .such

as stainless steel and die-'stamped or roller drawn n panels, in conjunction with means ,hereinafter described, are provided with a tread or Walk A33 for the convenience of the operator.

The 'lowerforwar'd edges of the side panels 32, 33 are cut away, as at 36, to accommodate the power unit or tractor (not shown) and merge smoothly with the sides of the centre panel 3|, a suitable moulding or trim which may be composed largely of an angle section member, as at 3T, being fastened thereto and forming a substantially continuous border on the entire depending joined edges of the said panels, as best shown in Figures 1 and 2.

'The side panels 32, 33 are braced by a series of substantially similar transverse members, bulk- `heads or partitions 38, 39, @il and il each com- ;prising a web of a suitably braced sheet of corrugated stainless steel and arranged in spaced relation-,between vthe side panels 32, 33 (Figs. 3

`and 4).

The centre -panel or frame 3| and the forward ends of the side panels 32, 33 are in a somewhat rsimilar fashion, braced by an assembly, designated generally at B and including, as

hereinafter described more fully, a pair of spaced bulkheads orcross beams i12, 43 arranged between 'and haying their :flangedfends joined respectively to the laterally-extending, adjacent portions of the .centre panel "3| and :to the :forward ends oi vthe Lside ipanels 32, 33.

All -aof :the lbulkheads :above-:referred to, in additionto their .function of 'bracing and reinforcing :the fcentre and side .panels and consequently the entire chassis, coactto provide a cradle or mount vfor the support `of the tank C.

Each of the side panel bulkheads above-mentoned, as, for example, the bulkhead 4l now .to .be .described generally, is formed largely of corrugated 'sheet :metal plate, preferably stainlesssteel,"with rectangular side :and bot'tom edges and-an arcuate upper edge whichzcur-ves upwardly from either side of a depressed central .portion to :the vicinity of the upper :edges of vthe side l,partiels (See Fig. l2). YThe upper lateral portions ofthe bulkhead 4'I,between itsarcuate edge and its .adjacent vertical edges, present oppositelydisposed,upwardlyestretching narrow extensions, as at '-4'6, to Vthe upper .portions lof which lthe -walks'35are fastened. Arcuate sills 33', '39', 40 and 4I' vwelded 'tothe upper Aarcuate edges o'i the 'said bulk'h'eads y33, 39, '40 and lll respectively serve, in combination therewith, as cradles or mounts whereon the adjacent portions of the 'tank C are directly seated. Straps E5 extending across the upper Ypart of the tank C and fastened to means 'secured to the bulkheads,

, bar 53. VAlbottorn plate 5I (Figs. 3 and 4), fastened `to fthe lower extremities of the bulkheads 42, t3 and to the members 46, 4i', 38, 49 and the cross bar 5B, serves to reinforce the said assembly and also as a support for the ftn wheel coupling assembly fastened thereto and designated 'generally at 13. As best shown in Figs. 3 and '4, the cross beams 42, 43, together with the associated members mentioned in this paragraph, form a pair Yof, inner reinforcing boxes 47', 48. The finished assembly B presents one unitary structure as indicated in the drawings.

The means provided for bracing and reinforcing the center panel 3| and adjacent vportions of the side panels 32, 33 are best shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 19 to 23 inclusive, and further include reinforcing plates or members 52, 53 which eX- tend diagonally between and join the box 48 to the center panel 3|, the latter at its forward portion being further cut away, as at 3|'. The outer end of each of the last-mentioned plates which extend beneath and beyond the cut-away portion 3| of the center panel 3|, is bent approximately at right angles, as at 52' and into welded contact with the inner surface of the said center panel where it is concealed beneath a local skirt or moulding 54. The skirts 54, which overlap and are welded to the mouldings 31 and to an interconnecting rail 55, are fastened to the center panel 3| and conform to its cut-away edge and forward reduced portion.

A brace bar 55 on each side of the assembly 13, diagonally stretches between and joins the spacedcross beams 42, 43. These brace bars 56 are also welded respectively to the side panels 32, 32 and to the adjacent portion of the boxes 41', 48. A gusset plate 55a, fastened to the cross beam 42 and to the moulding 31 on the center panel, provides additional reinforcement at this point. Similar gusset plates 56b are welded to the cross beam 43 and adjacent side portions of the center panel 3|. The last-mentioned reinforcement is best shown in Fig. 22 where one portion of the gusset 58b is shown as welded to the moulding 31 and the center panel 3|, and another portion to the cross beam 43, at the ends of the latter, similarly to the cross beam 42, being provided with oppositely directed flanges, as at 43 at its junction with the adjacent panel.

The side panels 32, 33, from a line adjacent the bulkhead 4|k to a line in advance of the bulkhead 43, are individually stiffened by an elongated arcuate plate 33' and plate 51, and have arcuate cut-out portions, as at 58 to accommodate the rear wheels 59. The panels 3|, 32 are provided with inset pockets or steps 60, El which permit the operator to ascend to the walk or tread 35 and thence to the upper portion of the tank"C, and have openings to permit the attachment of suitable side light assemblies, as at E2, and of means, indicated generally at 53, for raising and/or lowering the landing gear 34 when-desired. The center panel 3|, in a similar fashion, is equipped on either side with a suitable lighting assembly, as at 65.

By inspection and comparison of Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 12 in particular,` a general conception of the relative position of some of the more important units or assemblies of the chassis and the means employed for fastening them together in operative position, may be obtained. Other specific details for actually fastening the various members together will now be pointed out in oonnection with those views best adapted to illustrate the elements, as these follow in sequence in the description. A

The bulkheads and 4| are interbraced by two spaced, flanged channel members 53, 61 fastened therebetween, by being welded to correspondingly spaced rails 43a and plates 53, the latter being suitably apertured as at 68d for the reception of means connected to the landing gear 64. Each of the plates 68 has its lower edge fastened to a gusset plate 688L in turn secured to an angle bar |38b welded to a bottom portion of a sti'ening plate 4|a fastened to and across one face of the bulkhead 4|.

The upper portion of each plate 58 is fastened to an adjacent gusset plate 63 which is secured to the bulkhead 4| (Figs. 12, 13). The stiifening plate 4|a also has fastened thereto the bracing angle bar 10 which extends across its face and has its opposite ends welded to vertically arranged angle bars 'Hla in turn welded to the side panels 32, 33 and to adjacent ends of the horizontally-stretched angle bars or members 68". Bulkhead 50 is likewise reinforced by a bottom rail 40h.

The upper arcuate edge of the typical bulkhead A4| has fastened thereto a pair of reinforcing arcuate angle members 1|, 1|', to the top of which the arcuate sill 4|' mentioned above is in turn fastened, the adjacent portion of the tank C being seated on the latter. The extension 44, referred to above, which projects upwardly from the body portion of the bulkhead 4|, and which is more or less characteristic of the extensions of the other bulkheads, comprises a pair of plates 12, 13 (Fig. 16) fastened in opposed relation on either side of the said extension 44. More specifically, it will be seen that the plate 12 is fastened to the upper portion of the vertically extending angle bar 103L and to the adjacent portion Vof the arcuate sill-reinforcing member 1|', and is also fastened to a plate or member 1lb welded to the corrugated body portion of the bulkhead 4i. The other plate 13 has its flange 13 fastened to the panel 32 and its body portion welded to the sill-reinforcing member 1| and to a plate 13l in turn welded to the bulkhead 4|. Both of the opposed plates 12, 13 have registering openings, as at 15, to permit vaccess to the adjacent tank strap 45 which is protruded downwardly `through a hole in the walk 35 and into the narrow space between the two plates 12, 13 where it is secured by a nut and washer, as at 14, as clearly shown in Figs. l2 and 16. A substantially similar set of means for the reception and retention of the threaded ends of the tank-securing straps 45 is provided in the other bulkheads.

Between the bulkheads 4i and 42, the side panels 32, 33, reduced in width in this vicinity, are reinforced by a plurality of interconnected, angularly-arranged, flanged bars er angle members 16, 11, 18 welded thereto (Fig. 19). The ends of the bar 13 have welded thereto angle members or brackets 19, Ell, the lower bracket 19 being welded to the adjacent arcuate portion of an angle member 13a, to which latter the elongated, arcuate. panel-reinforcing plate 51 referred to above is fastened. The upper bracket 82 is secured to the ange of the angle bar 11, one end of the latter being joined to the under side of the walk 35, while its other end is welded to a gusset plate 8i which in turn is welded to the upper portion of the bulkhead 4|. The third angle bar 18, which is composed of two sections arranged on either side of the bar 16, has one section fastened to the plate 51 and its other section fastened to the bar 11 and the same plate 51,

The bulkheads 39, 43 are interbraced by two pairs of diagonally-stretching, interconnected bars or members 82, 83 (seeFigs. 2, 3 and 18). The adjacent mutually converging ends of the channel members 82, 83 are welded to a gusset plate 81S in turn welded to a flanged channel bar 85 fastened across a face of the bulkhead 40 and having each of its opposite ends joined to a flanged plate 86 joined to the upper edge of the body portion of the bulkhead 419 'and vto the 'adjacent side panel 33 (Fig. 13). The other end of each member 82 and the adjacent end of one bar 83 are weldedto a gusset plate 8 1 fastened to a channel bar 88 welded across the face of the bulkhead 39, the said gusset plate also being welded to the body portion of the same bulkhead. Said pairs of members 82, 83 serve for distributing the stresses from longitudinal members 93, 94 which will now be described.

The panel and bulkhead-reinforcing and bracing means, described in the last paragraph, coact with a bracing and reinforcing assembly which includes a pair of diagonallyarranged tie-rods 89, 9| whose threaded ends are protruded through the bulkheads 38, 39 and through brackets 92 and 92. The forward brackets 92 are welded to the gusset plates 81 and also to the channel bar 88. The said threaded ends are engaged and anchored by nuts abutted against the 9|, a pair of arcuate brace members 93, 94 arranged over and in substantial parallelism to the spring assemblies designated generally at 95, and is joined to and between the bulkheads 38, 39 The detailed construction of this assembly and its mode of attachment to other coacting mem bers associated therewith, is best shown in Figs. 3, and 6.

Each of the arcuate brace members 93, 9d comprises a pair of similar, substantially arcuate, spaced plates 93, 9G which have their greatest width at their midsecticn, tapering thence to their opposite ends. The upper edges of the arcuate plates 96, 99 are joined in. spaced relation by an arcuate channel member 91 having its side flanges vwelded to the inner sides of the adjacent edges of the said plates and its end anges seated on gusset plates '98, 99 welded to the body portions of bulkheads 38, 39. The lower edges of the same plates 9E, 99 are similarly joined in spaced relation by an arcuate channel Amember |09 having its flanges welded to the inner sides of the'plates 99, 96. As shown in Fig. 5, the arcuate member 94 presentsin cross-section a box-like configuration providing a strong reinforcing means for the assembly. The abovereferred to plates 96, 96' of the arcuate members 93, 94, from their central portion are projected out'wardly and taper downwardly through openings in the opposed bulkheads 3B, 39 having their flanged sides at this point welded to the said bulkheads where they are reinforced by vertically arranged, 'spaced angle bars |9I, |92 (Fig.

) joined to the body portions of the bulkheads 38 and 39.

The similar arcuate reinforcing members 93, 925, as best shown in Figs. 3, 4` and 6, are interbraced by an arcuate cross or channel member |93, to the opposite ends of which angle brackets 194, |95 are welded, the latter in turn being welded to a flanged plate |91, a third bracket |98 joining the central web of the channel member |93 and the said flanged plate |91. Each of the plates |91, as best shown in Fig. 6, has its flanges joined to the inner face of the adjacent arcuate member 93er 94.

The two opposite and similar spring assemblies referred to above, vas best disclosed in Fig. 6, consist individually of two separate coacting nests of leaves, designated in Fig. 6 as |99al and |519", both nests being juxtaposed operatively `together between plates 'or'pads H2, H3 which Vare clamped by spring vclips as at 4, the latter vasserisce embracing the axle housing H5 wherein the rea-r wheel stub axles H5 are rotatably mounted by suitable means (not shown). By further inspection of Fig. 6, it will be seen that the upper spring nest |09a is operatively engaged by abutments HS, which may be of rubber. The abutments l are secured to bottom walls of inverted channel section members H6 connected to the bulkheads 38, 39 and the members 96, 96 and |00. The lower spring nest |99a has its opposite vextremities pivotally engaged by bolts or means H1, H8 fastened to and protruded through the arcuate members 93, 9d where they are `suitably reinforced as by brackets |2| welded to the adjacent outer side of the said arcuate members. The spring shackle bolts H1, H8 are lubricated from the inner side of the arcuate members 93, 94 by suitable means (not shown).

As further disclosed in Figs. 6 'and '1, U-sectional or channel members |23, |24 are welded to the inner 'faces of the plates 95, 93 of each arcuate member 92, 93 and are adapted to support a bumper assembly best shown in Figs. y8 and 9. In the illustrated embodiment, the members |23 and |24 are integral with the rear members H6' described hereinbefore. The bumper assembly includes the customary outer bar or bumper |25 to which is fastened a pair of inwardly projected beams |23, |24 mentioned above. Each beam is reinforced by gusset plates |26 joining it and the adjacent portion of the bumper bar. The beams |23, |24, which may be channel members, have their sides welded to angle members |21 forming a part of the rear panel or frame 34, and at their junction with the bulkhead 38 are reinforced by gusset plates |28, the gusset plates |28 serving also for the attachment of the rear ends of the rods 89, 9| by means of said brackets 92.

Additional details of the present invention include the assembly for operating the landing gear 54, which is supported b y means secured to the bulkhead di. rlhis assembly comprises a manually operable shaft |3| rotatably protruded through the side panel 33 and extending through a pair of similar casings |32, |33 fastened to the channel members 66, 61 and to gusset plates S8 joined thereto and to the bulkhead 4 The mechanism for raising and lowering the landing gear, which in itself forms no part of the present invention, includes a shaft |35 rotatably mounted within a sleeve |35 having means adapting it to be raised lowered through the intermediary of the manually operable shaft |3|. The shaft |35 carries the wheels of the landing gear. V

The side members 32 and 33 respectively are reinforced between successive bulkheads by vertical reinforcing bars |31, |38, |39, |49. The side members 32 and 34 respectively are furthermore reinforced between thebulkheads 3B and 39 and in' front of the latter by inner reinforcing plates |4| and |42 which are welded to the corrugated'outer plates and have similar functions as the previously described reinforcing plates 33' and 51 in the front region. The side members 32, 33, together with their reinforcements present shallow girders with a high web, or in other words, girdersof comparatively great width which are arranged on edge. Also other portions may be reinforced kwherever necessary by superimposed rails, plates, or the like, and, indeed, such reinforcements are shown at the different places in the drawings without it being description of corresponding or similar parts shown at other places of the drawings.

It is to be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specic forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention; and it will be further understood that each and every novel feature and combination present in or possessed by the mechanism herewith disclosed, forms a part of the invention ineluded in this application.

What is claimed is:

l. In'a tank vehicle, a tank supporting frame structure, said structure comprising side members and transverse members, said members being in the form of shallow girders with a high web of sheet material, said side members being arranged in about the region of the lateral side margins of the vehicle and extending at least between points adapted for the attachment of front and rear whee1 suspensions so as to constitute the main load transmitting members, said transverse members being at their ends of a height of about the same order as the height of said side members, the upper margin of said transverse members being downwardly curved toward the longitudinal center line of the vehicle as to support the lower portion of a tank between said side members, and the lower margin of said transverse members being arranged at about the level? of the lower margins of said side members.

2. In a tank vehicle, a tank supporting frame structure adapted to have directly attached thereto front and rear wheel suspensions and to be supported by such suspensions, said structure comprising side members and. transverse members, said members being in the form of shallow girders with a high web, said side members being arranged near the lateral side margins of the vehicle, said web consisting mainly of corrugated sheet material, said transverse members being at their ends ofa height of about the same order as the height of said side members, said ends of the transverse members being arranged at-about the same level as the side members and being rigidly connected to the latter, the upper margin of said transverse members being downwardly curved toward the longitudinal center line of the vehicle as to support the lower portion of a tank between said side members.

3. In a tank vehicle, a tank Supporting chassis framestructure, said structure comprising side members and transverse members, said members being in the form of shallow girders with a high web, said side members being arranged in about the region of the lateral side margins a tank to lbe supported by the structure, said web consisting mainly of sheet material corrugated in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, said transverse members having wide ends connected to said side members, the upper margin of said transverse members being downwardly curved toward the longitudinal center line of the vehicle as to support the lower portion of a tank between said side members.

4. In a vehicle, a tank supporting frame structure, said structure comprising side members and transverse members, said members being in the form of shallow girders with a high web, said side members being arranged in about the region of the lateral side margins of the vehicle and extending from about the horizontal middle plane ported by said structure, said transverse members having widened ends which are connected to said side members, the upper margin of said transverse members being downwardly curved toward the longitudinal center line of the vehicle as to form a support between said side members for the lower portion of a tank correspondingly curved in cross section.

5. In a tank vehicle, a tank supporting frame structure, said structure lcomprising side members and transverse members, said members being in the form of shallow girders with a high web, said side members being arranged in about the region of the lateral side. margins of the vehicle and having a web of horizontally corrugated sheet material, the upper margin of said transverse members being arranged so as to provide space for the lower portion of a tank between said side members, transverse end wall members being connected to theends of said side members and being likewise horizontally corrugated.

Y 6. In a tank vehicle, ta tank supporting frame structure, said structure comprising side 'members and transverse members, said members being in the form of shallow girders with a high web, said web consisting mainly of sheet material, said transverse members having wide ends which are attached to said side members, the upper margin of said transverse members being downwardly curved toward the longitudinal center line of the vehicle as to support the lower portion of a tank between said side members, the webs of said transverse members being vertically corrugated.

7. In a tank vehicle, a tank supporting frame structure, said structure comprising side members and transverse members, said members being in the form of thin but high structures arranged on edge, said side members being arranged in about the region of the lateral side margins of the vehicle, at least some of said members having a web of corrugated sheet material, such web being reinforced by means extending across and being fastened to the corrugations, said transverse members being at their ends of a height of about the same order as the height of said side members, the upper margin of said transverse members being downwardly Vcurved toward the longitudinal center line of the vehicle as to support the lower portion of a tank between said said members.

8. In a tank vehicle, a tank supporting frame structure, said structure comprising side members and transverse members, said members being in the form of shallow girders with a high web,l

said side members being arranged in about the region of the lateral side marginsofl the Vehicle, said web comprising as main element horizontally corrugated sheet material, said transverse members being at their ends of a height of about the same order as the height of said side members, the upper margin of said transverse members being downwardly curved toward the longitudinal center line of the vehicle as to support the lower portion of a tank between said side members, said side members being reinforced by rails which extend across and are fastened to the corrugations of said webs.

9. In a tank vehicle, a tank supporting frame structure, said structure comprising side members and transverse members, said members being in the form of shallow girders with a high web, said side members being arranged in about the region of the lateral side margins of the vehicle, said web comprising as main element horizontally corrugated sheet material, said transverse members being at their ends of a height of about the same order as the height of said side members, the upper margin of said transverse members being downwardly curved toward the longitudinal center line of the vehicle as to support the lower portion of a tank between said side members, said side members beingreinforced by rails which extend across and are fastened to the corrugations of said webs and to which rails areA fastened the ends of said transverse members.

l0. In a tank vehicle, a tank supporting frame structure, said structure comprising side members and transverse members, said members being in the form of shallow girders with a high web of Vsheet material, said side members being arrangedin about the region of the' lateral side margins of the vehicle, said transverse members being at their ends of a height of about the same order as the height'of said side members, the upper margin of said transverse members being downwardly curved toward the longitudinal center line of the vehicle as to support the lower portion of a tank between said side members, aV

pair of longitudinal members between two transverse members, said longitudinal members being spaced from said side members and from each other in the transverse directions of the vehicle and are adapted for the attachment of a part of the supporting means of the vehicle such as road wheels, landing gear or fth wheel structure.

11. In a vehicle, a supporting frame structure, said structure comprising longitudinal side members and transverse members, said members being in the form of shallow girders with a high web, said transverse members having their ends secured to said side members, a pair of auxiliary longitudinal members between two transverse members, said auxiliary longitudinal members being spaced from said side members and from each other in the transverse directions of the vehicle and adapted for the attachment of spring suspension' means for a pair of road Wheels, a plurality of members being fastened to and extending fromat least one of the ends of said auxiliary longitudinal members in different directions inclined in plan View with respect to the side and transverse members and being fastened to said side and transverse members at points spaced from said ends of said longitudinal members so as to distribute the stresses from said auxiliary longitudinal members into the adjacent portions of'said'irame structure.

12; In a vehicle, a supporting frame structure, said structure comprising longitudinalaside members and transverse members, said transverse members having their ends connected to saidl side members, a pair of auxiliary longitudinalmembers being arranged between and secured to two transverse members, said auxiliary longitudinal members being spaced from said' side members and from each other in the transverse directions of the vehicle and beingnadaptedfor the attachment of spring suspension means for a pair of road wheels, supporting means for a bumper at the one end ofthe vehicle being tied into one end of each of said auxiliary longitudinal members.` Y

13. In a vehicle, a supporting frame structure, said structure comprising a pair of longitudinal side members interconnected by transverse members, said members being in the form' of shallow girders with a high web, said transverse members being at their ends-ofa height of about the same order as the height of said side members, a second pair of longitudinal members being arranged between and secured to at least two of said transverse members, said longitudinal members of the second pair being spaced from said side members of the rst pair and from each other in the transverse directions of the vehicle and being adapted for the attachment of spring suspension means. for a pair of road wheels, said longitudinal members of the second pair being of box section and having at least the under side upwardly curved in the middle region of their length.

14. In a tank vehicle, a tank supporting frame structure, said structure comprising side members and transverse members, said members being in the form ofthin but high structures arranged on edge, said'side membersbeing arranged in about the region of the lateral side margins of the vehicle, said transverse members being at their ends of a height of about the same order as theheight of said side members, the mem-bers oi b oth types lbeing arranged at about the same level and connected to one another, the upper margin of said transverse members being downwardly curved toward the longitudinal center line of the vehicle asl to support the lower portion of a tank between said side members, saidlongitudinal members having a web of sheet material and upper and lower chord members, said upper c ho-rd member being formed as a cat walk;

l'5. Ina tank vehicle, a tank supporting structure comprising longitudinal girder structures of comparatively great width and being arranged on edge, transverse bulkheads interconnecting said girder structures and being adapted to support a tank,r said longitudinal girder structures comprising a web of corrugated` sheet material and having a portionv of greatly diminished depth at thelocation of supporting wheels, said web being reinforced in the region` of diminished depth by a flat plate of sheet material which is fastened, to the corrugations and which extends beyond said region so 4as to distributethe stresses into the adjacent portion ofthe web of full height.

RAYMOND J. 'IHERIAUL'Il 

